This week, May 10-16, is National Etiquette Week. I can’t figure out why this disturbs me, but it does. Is etiquette on an endangered species list and in need of an awareness campaign? Are the sponsors suggesting that we search high and low for our manners and, once they are located, haul them out, shake them off, and display them for the prescribed time period? Does Etiquette Week work like other once-a-year observances—Arbor Day, National Dog Training Week—in that when the designated time frame is over and related rituals end, the general population goes back to its old routine? Hmm, I think I just identified my concern about Etiquette Week, because in many instances that routine doesn’t include a sufficient dose of civility.
I wonder if there is a handbook for National Etiquette Week with marching orders such as: be courteous at home, at the office, in traffic, at school, in stores and restaurants; be thoughtful when using cell phones and in other electronic communication; say “Thanks!” in a note or in person for kindness, assistance or a gift; show respect for all the people in our lives; and put the needs and comfort of others before our own. Wait a minute, isn’t that how we should behave every week?
Maybe I can warm to the idea of National Etiquette Week if I view it as someone’s good intention to try to get us all to think about courtesy by shining a spotlight on the topic at least once a year. But why stop with one week when an entire MONTH is devoted to Getting Organized (January), the Vidalia Onion (May) and Mold Awareness (September)? And surely etiquette deserves as much attention as National Accordion Awareness Month (June) and National Roller Skating Month (October). And after month-long status is achieved, what’s to prevent us from going for the big one–International Etiquette Year, with a renewable option. Then you can count me in!
